Overflow structure in electrolytic cell or the like

ABSTRACT

An upstanding, tubular riser serves as a discharge pipe for electrolyte overflowing thereinto from a surrounding body of electrolyte. The top of the riser is indented around approximately a semicircle in the form of a notch having an elongate bottom that determines the overflow level of the body of electrolyte. The elongate bottom of the notch preferably extends horizontally around the entire width of the notch, with the sides of the notch extending vertically. The notched top portion of the riser is preferably a separate, relatively short nipple telescopically connected to the remainder of the riser.

United States Patent Marquardson Mar. 7, 1972 [54] OVERFLOW STRUCTURE IN ELECTROLYTIC CELL OR THE LIKE 21 Appl. No.: 22,438

Monmq ..251/368 X Kimmel ..251/368 X Weatherford ..137/577 Touzalin et al. ..137/574 X Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott Attorney-Mallinckrodt & Cornaby [57 ABSTRACT An upstanding, tubular riser serves as a discharge pipe for electrolyte overflowing thereinto from a surrounding body of electrolyte. The top of the riser is indented around approximately a semicircle in the form of a notch having an elongate bottom that determines the overflow level of the body of electrolyte. The elongate bottom of the notch preferably extends horizontally around the entire width of the notch, with the sides of the notch extending vertically. The notched'top portion of the riser is preferably a separate, relatively short nipple telescopically connected to the remainder of the riser.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures [52] US. CL ..137/577 [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6t1/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..l37l5 77,577.5,578,579, 590.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,891,574 6/1959 Dahlberg 137/577 1,215,667 2/1917 Legge 1,471,482 10/1923 Goss et a1. 2,625,175 l/1953 Wilson 2,859,932 11/1958 Mackal ..251/368 X PAIENTEDHAR 7 I972 3,646,961

FIG. I

ATTO NE Y5 OVERFLOW STRUCTURE IN ELECTROLYTIC CELL OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field The invention relates broadly to electrolytic cells, and is particularly concerned with overflow structure for discharging electrolyte from such a cell or similar vessel.

State of the Art Overflow structure for electrolytic cells has heretofore been in the form of an upstanding tubular riser having its top lying wholly within a horizontal plane so that overflow of electrolyte into the riser from the surrounding body of electrolyte takes place uniformly around the entire periphery. This has produced problems of air entrapment. Electrolyte discharging into and flowing down the riser sucks in air, resulting in periodic burping" or back ejection of entrapped air with almost explosive intensity. Electrolyte is often splashed beyond the confines of the cell.

Objective A principal purpose in making the invention was to eliminate the highly undesirable and often dangerousback ejection of electrolyte from an overflow riser in vessels holding electrolyte, such as electrolytic cells, and to accomplish a quiet outflow of electrolyte from the cell. A further objective was to enable the overflow portion of a discharge riser to be adjusted as desired with respect to both height and direction of inflow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The top of an upstanding, tubular riser is indented around approximately a semicircle in the form of a notch that has an elongate bottom determining the overflow level of electrolyte in the cell. The bottom of the notch preferably extends horizontally around the entire width of the notch, with the sides of the notch extending vertically. The remaining periphery of the top of the riser extends above the overflow level of the electrolyte in the cell and functions as a baffle preventing overflow of electrolyte along its extent.

By making the top portion of the riser in the form of a separate, relatively short nipple that is telescopically connected to the remainder of the riser, such top portion is not only height adjustable but is rotatable relative to the remainder of the riser so as to position the baflle as desired relative to the direction of flow of the discharging electrolyte.

The overflow structure advantageously includes a discharge compartment that is shallow relative to the interior of the cell and that leads from the cell proper at an upper level thereof. The riser then extends through the bottom of the compartment, with its upper end terminating above but near such bottom and with the nipple telescoped within such upper end. The compartment, the riser, and the nipple are all preferably of plastic material, such as polyvinylchloride. In installing such an overflow structure .inan electrolytic cell, the plastic material is advantageously adhesively joined. to similar plastic material lining the interior walls of the cell.

THE DRAWING An electrolytic cell with overflow discharge structure representing the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the discharge end portion of a typical electrolytic cell embodying the invention;

FIG. 2, a fragmentary view in vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3, an exploded view in perspective of the interconnection between overflow nipple and remainder of the discharge riser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT In the form illustrated, the overflow discharge structure of the invention comprises an electrolyte discharge compartment that is shallow relative to the electrolytic cell tank 11 and leads from an end of such tank. As is usual, the cell tank 11 is of concrete and has its interior walls protectively lined with sheet plastic material 12, e.g. polyvinylchloride. The compartment 10 is preferably fabricated from a similar plastic material, which is adhesively joined to the cell lining 12, as at 12a.

Extending through the bottom 10a of compartment 10 is an upstanding, tubular riser 13 comprising a discharge pipe portion 13a, an adapter portion 13b fitted into and adhesively l5 joined to the pipe portion 13a, and a nipple 14 telescopically interconnected with the remainder of the riser and extending above the overflow level of electrolyte 15 in the cell I0.

The upper end of adapter portion 13b of the riser terminates above but near bottom 10a of compartment 10, and nipple 14 extends thereabove. As shown, nipple 14 is telescoped into adapter portion 13b, the connection being sealed by an O-ring 16 which does not interfere with either height adjustability or with rotatability of such nipple relative to the remainder of the riser l3.

Nipple 14 forms the top portion of riser l3 and has its top indented around approximately a semicircle in the form of a single notch 17 having an elongate bottom 18 that determines the overflow level of the electrolyte 15 in cell tank 11. Notch bottom 18 advantageously extends horizontally around the entire width of the notch with the sides 17a of the notch rising vertically therefrom, as illustrated. This provides maximum opportunity for outflow of electrolyte from the cell, while still leaving an effective barrier to electrolyte overflow in the form of a baffle portion 17b that extends around the remaining approximately semicircular portion of the top of the riser 13. In this way, a vent passage 19, FIG. 1, for the discharge of otherwise entrapped air is provided within the protective extent of baffle portion 17b and the undesirable burping of air that occurs in conventional overflow structures is prevented.

Whereas this invention is here illustrated and described with respect to a certain preferred fonn thereof, it is to be understood that many variations are possible without departing from the inventive concepts particularly pointed out in the claims.

I claim:

1. An electrolytic cell, includinga tank for electrolyte; and overflowstructure for discharging electrolyte from said cell, said overflow structure-comprising a tubular riser adapted to extend upwardly above the overflow level of the electrolyte in the cell and to serve as a discharge pipe, the top of said riser being indented around approximately a semicircle in the form of a notch having an elongate bottom that determines said overflow level, the remaining periphery of said top serving as a bafl'le preventing inflow of electrolyte into said riser and defining an air vent section for said riser that remains open for escape of air during discharge of electrolyte to prevent back ejection of electrolyte due to entrapped air.

2. An electrolytic cell according to claim I, wherein the overflow structure has its notch facing away from the direction of electrolyte flow, so said flow is interrupted by the baffle portion of the riser.

3. An electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the elongate bottom of the notch extends substantially horizontally around substantially the entire width of the notch, with the sides of the notch extending substantially vertically.

4. An electrolytic cell according to claim I, wherein the upper portion of the riser is a separate, relatively short nipple telescopically connected to the remainder of the riser so as to be height adjustable and rotatable relative thereto.

5. An electrolytic cell according to claim '4, including a relatively shallow discharge compartment for electrolyte adapted to lead-from'the interior of the cell-at an upper level thereoff wherein the said remainder of the riser extends throughthev 7. An electrolytic cell according to claim 6, wherein interior walls of the tank are lined with sheet plastic material, and wherein the walls of the discharge compartment are adhesively joined to said sheet plastic material lining'the interior walls of the tank.

* i t i 

1. An electrolytic cell, including a tank for electrolyte; and overflow structure for discharging electrolyte from said cell, said overflow structure comprising a tubular riser adapted to extend upwardly above the overflow level of the electrolyte in the cell and to serve as a discharge pipe, the top of said riser being indented around approximately a semicircle in the form of a notch having an elongate bottom that determines said overflow level, the remaining periphery of said top serving as a baffle preventing inflow of electrolyte into said riser and defining an air vent section for said riser that remains open for escape of air during discharge of electrolyte to prevent back ejEction of electrolyte due to entrapped air.
 2. An electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the overflow structure has its notch facing away from the direction of electrolyte flow, so said flow is interrupted by the baffle portion of the riser.
 3. An electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the elongate bottom of the notch extends substantially horizontally around substantially the entire width of the notch, with the sides of the notch extending substantially vertically.
 4. An electrolytic cell according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the riser is a separate, relatively short nipple telescopically connected to the remainder of the riser so as to be height adjustable and rotatable relative thereto.
 5. An electrolytic cell according to claim 4, including a relatively shallow discharge compartment for electrolyte adapted to lead from the interior of the cell at an upper level thereof; wherein the said remainder of the riser extends through the bottom of the compartment, with its upper end terminating above but near said bottom; and wherein the nipple is telescoped within said upper end of said remainder of the riser.
 6. An electrolytic cell according to claim 5, wherein the compartment, the said remainder of the riser, and the nipple are all of a plastic material.
 7. An electrolytic cell according to claim 6, wherein interior walls of the tank are lined with sheet plastic material, and wherein the walls of the discharge compartment are adhesively joined to said sheet plastic material lining the interior walls of the tank. 